Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley practices Thursday in Miami Shores, Fla. The junior first-team All-American also was voted by teammates as the Crimson Tide's most valuable player.

Written by

Mark Edwards
Special to the Advertiser

If ever a defense reloaded rather than rebuilt, maybe it's Alabama's 2012 group.

The statistics aren't quite as sterling as a year ago, but then again, the Crimson Tide's 2011 defense set a standard that few in history can match. That team led the nation in total yards, points, rushing yards and pass defense, and only one other team (1986 Oklahoma) led in all four categories since the NCAA began keeping track of national statistics in 1937.

Even so, Alabama ranks first nationally this season in total yards and rushing defense and second in points. The 2012 defense allowed 63 more yards per game ...